FENTON: Nicola Batkin, aged 36, of Duke Street, Fenton, has been handed a six-month conditional discharge after she pleaded guilty to resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty on May 29. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard police attended her home and found her in her front room with a knife. An officer tried to prise the blade out of her grip and she kicked out at him twice in the groin area. He was left with dog excrement on his trousers as it had been on her shoe. Magistrates ordered Batkin to pay a £20 surcharge. There was no order for costs due to her limited means.

COBRIDGE: Joseph Holland, aged 32, of Rushton Road, Cobridge, has pleaded guilty to being knowingly concerned in fraudulent activity to obtain payments of tax credits and being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of income tax. His case was adjourned for a report by the probation service. Holland will next appear at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on August 23. His bail was extended.

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STOKE-ON-TRENT: A 34-year-old man has admitting stealing £13,000. Shakeel Abbas, of Park Street, Burton, pleaded guilty to stealing the cash between March and June last year. He will be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on August 13, after the probation service has prepared a pre-sentence report.

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BALL GREEN: A 29-year-old man will go on trial accused of assault. Lee Davis, of South Street, Ball Green, is charged with causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon on June 16. He denied the charges during a hearing at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. The case was adjourned for a trial, which is due to start on October 16.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: Manesseh Walder, aged 21, of Heathfield Road, Birmingham, has denied a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 21. His trial will be held at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in the week commencing October 15. Walder was remanded in custody.

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HANLEY: Ricky Ridge, aged 25, of Sneyd Street, Hanley, has denied having a rounders bat in Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, on December 12. He has also denied a charge of assault by beating. Ridge will have a trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court in the week commencing October 29. His bail was extended.